Secret vs. Mystery — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
A secret is intentionally kept hidden by someone, often requiring discretion, while a mystery is something that is unknown or unexplained, sparking curiosity or investigation.
Difference Between Secret and Mystery
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A secret involves information intentionally concealed to protect privacy, secure personal or proprietary advantages, or maintain confidentiality. Whereas, a mystery encompasses any phenomenon or situation that remains unexplained or unknown, inviting exploration or speculation.
Secrets are often known by at least one person or a select group who choose to keep the information hidden from others. On the other hand, mysteries may not be understood by anyone and can exist independently of human knowledge or intervention.
The purpose of keeping a secret is typically to control information, which could involve personal relationships, business strategies, or state affairs. In contrast, mysteries inherently lack control and are subjects of inquiry or fascination precisely because they are not understood.
Revealing secrets can have significant consequences such as damage to relationships, legal implications, or strategic losses. However, solving a mystery generally leads to enlightenment, satisfaction, or the advancement of knowledge.
While secrets can be disclosed deliberately or accidentally by those who hold them, mysteries are resolved through investigation, research, or serendipitous discovery, relying on gathering new information or insights.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Information intentionally kept hidden.
Something not understood or known.
Known to
One or a few people.
No one, or not fully understood by any.
Purpose
To control information and its effects.
To be investigated or wondered about.
Consequence of Disclosure
Can be damaging or strategic.
Leads to new knowledge or closure.
Method of Resolution
Deliberate disclosure or accidental leak.
Investigation, research, or revelation.
Compare with Definitions
Secret
Can be personal, commercial, or governmental.
State secrets are often matters of national security.
Mystery
Solved through clues, investigation, or scientific methods.
Detectives unraveled the mystery using crucial evidence.
Secret
Sometimes revealed with significant consequences.
The revelation of the secret scandal caused widespread outrage.
Mystery
An unexplained or unknown factor.
The disappearance of the ancient civilization remains a mystery.
Secret
Meant to protect or control.
The company kept the formula a secret to avoid competition.
Mystery
Often the subject of books, movies, or research.
The book delves into the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.
Secret
Requires trust among those who know it.
They kept each other's secrets for years, building a strong bond.
Mystery
Can be fascinating and intriguing.
The mystery of her smile captivated everyone in the room.
Secret
Information deliberately kept hidden.
He shared a secret with his friend, trusting her discretion.
Mystery
Provides closure once resolved.
Solving the old mystery brought peace to the town.
Secret
Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others
How did you guess I'd got a secret plan?
The resupply effort was probably kept secret from Congress
Mystery
A religious truth that is incomprehensible to reason and knowable only through divine revelation.
Secret
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others
A state secret
At first I tried to keep it a secret from my wife
Mystery
One that is not fully understood or that baffles or eludes the understanding; an enigma
How he got in is a mystery.
Secret
Kept hidden from knowledge or view; concealed
A secret identity.
A secret passageway.
Mystery
One whose identity is unknown and who arouses curiosity
The woman in the photograph is a mystery.
Secret
Not expressed; inward
Secret desires.
Mystery
A mysterious character or quality
A landscape with mystery and charm.
Secret
Given to keeping one's thoughts and activities unknown to others; secretive
"Scrooge ... was secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" (Charles Dickens).
Mystery
Something that is a secret
“From the first, some private trouble weighed on his mind, and since he chose to make a mystery of its cause, a biographer is bound to respect his wish” (Henry Adams).
Secret
Not revealing a secret or not given to revealing secrets
"She boasted ... that he did tell her. But he didn't. He was secret as the grave" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).
Mystery
A work of fiction, such as a novel or a movie, that has a story centered around solving a puzzling crime or mysterious event.
Secret
Operating in a hidden or confidential manner
A secret commission.
A secret agent.
Mystery
A nonfictional account of a puzzling crime or mysterious event presented in the manner of a mystery.
Secret
Containing information, the unauthorized disclosure of which poses a grave threat to national security.
Mystery
A religious cult practicing secret rites to which only initiates are admitted.
Secret
Not much visited; secluded
A secret hiding place.
Mystery
A secret rite of such a cult.
Secret
Known or shared only by the initiated
Secret rites.
Mystery
An incident from the life of Jesus, especially the Incarnation, Passion, Crucifixion, or Resurrection, of particular importance for redemption.
Secret
Beyond ordinary understanding; mysterious
"like Pan, calling out with his flute to come join in on the secret chaos of the world" (Rick Bass).
Mystery
One of the 15 incidents from the lives of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary, such as the Annunciation or the Ascension, serving in Roman Catholicism as the subject of meditation during recitation of the rosary.
Secret
Something that is kept out of the knowledge or sight of others or is known only to oneself or a few
Wanted to have no secrets between them.
Mystery
Also Mystery One of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
Secret
Something that remains beyond understanding or explanation; a mystery
Unlocking the secrets of the atom.
Mystery
Mysteries The consecrated elements of the Eucharist.
Secret
A method or formula for doing or making something well, especially when not widely known
The secret of this dish is in the sauce.
Mystery
Often mysteries The skills, lore, or practices that are peculiar to a particular activity or group and are regarded as the special province of initiates
The mysteries of Freemasonry.
The mysteries of cooking game.
Secret
Secret A variable prayer said after the Offertory and before the Preface in the Mass.
Mystery
A mystery play.
Secret
(countable) A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden.
"Can you keep a secret?" "Yes." "So can I."
Mystery
A trade or occupation.
Secret
The key or principle by which something is made clear; the knack.
The secret to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.
Mystery
A guild, as of merchants or artisans.
Secret
Something not understood or known.
Mystery
Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown.
The truth behind the events remains a mystery.
Secret
(uncountable) Private seclusion.
The work was done in secret, so that nobody could object.
Mystery
Someone or something with an obscure or puzzling nature.
That man is a mystery.
Secret
The genital organs.
Mystery
(obsolete) A secret or mystical meaning.
Secret
(historical) A form of steel skullcap.
Mystery
A religious truth not understandable by the application of human reason alone (without divine aid).
Secret
Any prayer spoken inaudibly and not aloud; especially, one of the prayers in the Mass, immediately following the "orate, fratres", said inaudibly by the celebrant.
Mystery
A sacrament.
Secret
Being or kept hidden.
We went down a secret passage.
Mystery
A secret religious celebration, admission to which was usually through initiation.
The Eleusinian mysteries
The Mysteries of Mithras
Secret
(obsolete) Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.
Mystery
(Catholicism) A particular event or series of events in the life of Christ.
The second decade of the Rosary concerns the Sorrowful mysteries, such as the crucifixion and the crowning with thorns.
Secret
(obsolete) Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive, separate, apart.
Mystery
A craft, art or trade; specifically a guild of craftsmen.
Secret
(obsolete) Separate; distinct.
Mystery
A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.
We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.
If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would bestow on us some new faculties of the mind.
Secret
(transitive) To make or keep secret.
Mystery
A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies; - usually plural; as, the Eleusinian mysteries.
Secret
(transitive) To hide secretly.
He was so scared for his safety he secreted arms around the house.
Mystery
The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
Secret
Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us.
Mystery
Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
Secret
Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.
There, secret in her sapphire cell,He with the Naïs wont to dwell.
Mystery
A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one is usually occupied.
Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
And that which is the noblest mysteryBrings to reproach and common infamy.
Secret
Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive.
Secret Romans, that have spoke the word,And will not palter.
Mystery
A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city in the early part of the 14th century.
"Mystery plays," so called because acted by craftsmen.
Secret
Separate; distinct.
They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter.
Mystery
Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained;
How it got out is a mystery
It remains one of nature's secrets
Secret
Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed.
To tell our own secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is treachery.
Mystery
A story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie
Secret
A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery.
All secrets of the deep, all nature's works.
Secret
The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs.
Bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Secret
To keep secret.
Secret
Something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on);
The combination to the safe was a secret
He tried to keep his drinking a secret
Secret
Information known only to a special group;
The secret of Cajun cooking
Secret
Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained;
How it got out is a mystery
It remains one of nature's secrets
Secret
Not open or public; kept private or not revealed;
A secret formula
Secret ingredients
Secret talks
Secret
Conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods;
Clandestine intelligence operations
Cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
Hole-and-corner intrigue
Secret missions
A secret agent
Secret sales of arms
Surreptitious mobilization of troops
An undercover investigation
Underground resistance
Secret
Not openly made known;
A secret marriage
A secret bride
Secret
Communicated covertly;
Their a secret signal was a wink
Secret messages
Secret
Not expressed;
Secret (or private) thoughts
Secret
Designed to elude detection;
A hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
A secret passage
The secret compartment in the desk
Secret
Hidden from general view or use;
A privy place to rest and think
A secluded romantic spot
A secret garden
Secret
(of information) given in confidence or in secret;
Closet information
This arrangement must be kept confidential
Their secret communications
Secret
Indulging only covertly;
A closet alcoholic
Closet liberals
Secret
Having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding;
Mysterious symbols
The mystical style of Blake
Occult lore
The secret learning of the ancients
Secret
The next to highest level of official classification for documents
Common Curiosities
What are common reasons for keeping secrets?
Privacy, security, and competitive advantage are common reasons.
Are all mysteries solvable?
Not all mysteries are solvable; some may remain unresolved indefinitely.
What defines a secret?
A secret is information that someone intentionally keeps hidden.
Can a secret become a mystery?
Yes, if the knowledge of the secret is lost over time, it can turn into a mystery.
How do secrets impact personal relationships?
Secrets can both protect and strain relationships, depending on their nature and the context.
What is an example of a famous mystery?
The identity of Jack the Ripper is a famous historical mystery.
How does a mystery differ from a secret?
A mystery is something unknown or unexplained, unlike a secret which is known but hidden.
Can revealing a secret be beneficial?
Yes, it can bring relief and clarity, though it may also have negative consequences depending on the secret.
Why are people fascinated by mysteries?
Mysteries provoke curiosity and the desire to solve the unknown.
What techniques are used to solve mysteries?
Deductive reasoning, scientific methods, and sometimes, technological tools are used.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
